Stadium diplomacy is a form of subsidy practiced by a nation through building and financing the construction of stadiums and sports facilities. [1] [2] [3] China uses this form of soft power to secure diplomatic recognition in line with the One-China policy and to secure natural resources. [2] [4]
The construction of stadiums is financed depending on the project with some given as gifts; paid for through low interest, concessional loans; built in partnership with both credit and the host nation taking on different construction responsibilities; or through some other kind of partnership. [5] This form of diplomacy was practiced as early as 1958, when the Chinese government financed the construction of the National Sports Stadium in neighboring Mongolia. [6]
The following includes overseas stadiums and sports facilities built and donated as gifts or financed in association with the host country. [2] [5] Stadiums built by the creditor nation construction firms but without their government's financing assistance are not listed.
The Stade Vélodrome, known for sponsorship reasons as the Orange Vélodrome since June 2016, is a multi-purpose stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1 since it opened in 1937, and has been a venue in the 1938 and 1998 FIFA World Cups; the 1960, 1984 and 2016 editions of the UEFA European Championship; and the 2007 and 2023 Rugby World Cup. It occasionally hosts RC Toulon rugby club of the Top 14. It is the largest club football ground in France, with a capacity of 67,394 spectators. The stadium is also used regularly by the France national rugby union team.
Panda diplomacy is the practice of sending giant pandas from China to other countries as a tool of diplomacy. From 1941 to 1984, the Chinese government gifted pandas to other countries. Since 1984, they have been leased rather than gifted due to a PRC policy change.
The Moi International Sports Centre is a multi-purpose stadium in Kasarani, Kenya. It was built in 1987 for the All-Africa Games held in Nairobi. The facilities include a 60,000-seat stadium with a running track and a pitch used for football and rugby union, a competition size swimming pool, an indoor arena and a 108-bed capacity hotel. Located at 1,612 metres above sea level, it is slightly above 1 mile in altitude.
The Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium which is part of the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, Liberia, a suburb of the country's capital, Monrovia. Built in 1986, it is used mostly for football matches and has an athletics track, though it has also been used for a reggae concert, political rallies, IDP refuge, and Ebola treatment. The largest stadium in Liberia, its spectator capacity is 22,000.
The Accra Sports Stadium, formerly named the Ohene Djan Stadium, is a multi-use stadium located in Accra, Ghana, mostly used for association football matches. It is also used for rugby union.
The Panaad Stadium, also sometimes spelled as Pana-ad, named after the park where the stadium is situated in, is a multi-purpose stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod, Philippines.
Estadio Fiscal de Talca is a multi-use public stadium in Talca, Chile. It is currently used mostly for association football matches and is the home stadium of Rangers.
Amaan Stadium is a stadium in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The stadium holds 15,000 people.
Tanzania National Main Stadium also known as Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Miburani ward of Temeke District in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It opened in 2007 and was built adjacent to Uhuru Stadium, the former national stadium. It hosts major football matches such as the Tanzanian Premier League and home matches of the Tanzania national football team.
Oceania is, to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China, a stage for continuous diplomatic competition. The PRC dictates that no state can have diplomatic relations with both the PRC and the ROC. As of 2019, ten states in Oceania have diplomatic relations with the PRC, and four have diplomatic relations with the ROC. These numbers fluctuate as Pacific Island nations re-evaluate their foreign policies, and occasionally shift diplomatic recognition between Beijing and Taipei. The issue of which "Chinese" government to recognize has become a central theme in the elections of numerous Pacific Island nations, and has led to several votes of no-confidence.
Gerkan, Marg & Partners (gmp) is an international architectural company based in Hamburg, Germany. The company was founded in 1965 by Meinhard von Gerkan and Volkwin Marg, and now has more than 300 employees in 13 offices. In the same year the architectural practice took part in an international competition with an anonymus entry. Their design for the Berlin Tegel Airport was able to win the first prize, thus garnering the company international recognition. This achievement cemented the practice's standing in the world of architecture and paved the way for further success. The company is currently being headed by the two founders alongside their executive partners.
Chad–China relations refers to the current and historical relationship between the Republic of Chad and the People's Republic of China. Bilateral relations were initially established in 1972 but were severed by China in 1997 due to Chad's recognition of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Relations resumed in August 2006 when Chad ended its relationship with Taiwan and pledged adherence to the One China Policy. The ties between the two nations are primarily economic, although there is some cooperation in security. The economic ties are profitable for both countries, with China providing aid and investment in exchange for natural resources to fuel its economic growth.
Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group (AFECC) is a Chinese construction and mining company with an international focus that includes 14 overseas subsidiaries in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific Islands. Based on the value of 2011 deals, the company ranks among the top 225 contractors in terms of international projects.
China–Gabon relations refer to the foreign relations between China and Gabon. On December 9, 1960, China established diplomatic relations with Gabon. Gabon switched recognition to the People's Republic of China in Beijing on April 20, 1974.
Alassane Ouattara Stadium, commonly known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé and formerly as the National Stadium of the Ivory Coast, is a multi-purpose stadium in Ebimpé and Anyama, in northern Abidjan. It opened in 2020. The stadium hosts major football matches including home matches of the Ivory Coast national football team. Alassane Ouattara Stadium is owned by the Government of Ivory Coast. With 60,000 seats, it is the largest stadium in Ivory Coast and one of the most modern stadiums in Africa.
Debt-trap diplomacy is a term to describe an international financial relationship where a creditor country or institution extends debt to a borrowing nation partially, or solely, to increase the lender's political leverage. The creditor country is said to extend excessive credit to a debtor country with the intention of extracting economic or political concessions when the debtor country becomes unable to meet its repayment obligations. The conditions of the loans are often not publicized. The borrowed money commonly pays for contractors and materials sourced from the creditor country.
China–El Salvador relations are the bilateral relationships between the People's Republic of China and Republic of El Salvador. China maintains an embassy in San Salvador and El Salvador maintains an embassy in Beijing.
The Solomon Islands National Stadium is the national stadium of the Pacific island nation of the Solomon Islands and is located in the capital Honiara. The 10,000-seat venue was originally constructed as the main venue for the 2023 Pacific Games and was given to the country as a gift from the People's Republic of China at a cost of USD $71 million. The venue can host association football, rugby, and athletics. At time of construction, it was the largest infrastructure project that China had undertaken in the Oceania region.
Guyana's new cricket stadium for next year's World Cup will be officially opened by India vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday. India provided a US$6 million (euro4.7 million) grant and US$19 million (euro15 million) in loans for the 15,000-seat Providence Stadium, which will host Super 8 matches during the World Cup next March and April.